Leveling device for carriers



a VENToR TToRNEYs.

5 Sheets-Sheet l A. N. BECKER LEVLING DEVICE 'FOR CARRIERS Filed sept. 2e, 1927 Aug'. 19, 1930.

Aug. V19, 1930. A. N. BECKER -LEVI'EILING DEVIC, FOR CARRIERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 26, 1927 3% INVENTOR, n

A TORNEYS Aug.- 19, 1930. A. N. BECKER 1,773,153

LEYLNG DEVICE PQR CARRIERS "Rind sept 2e. 192'? -s sheets-sheet a I N VEN TOR.

m BY n Patented Aug. 19, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALFoNsE N. BECKER, OE MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, AssIGNoR 'ro A. N. BECKER ENGI-` NEERING- CORPORATION, OE MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION oF WIS- IIEVELING DEVICE EOR CARRIERS Application filed September 2G, 1927. Serial'No. 222,105.

rIhis invention relates to improvements in leveling devices for carriers.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a levelingdevice for use upon either horizontal or verticalcarriers, which ywill insure the stopping'of the carrier infregister with a'oor or other'desired landing point.

'It is a further object to provide'aleveling device which will not interfere with the-ordinary operation of the carrier. It is a further object of this invention to provide a leveling device A which is automatic in operation, and which may be arranged to cooperate. with the starting and stopping lever of the carrier.

Itis al further object of this' invention to provide'a leveling device yfor carriers which is ineffective between landing places. i

vIt isa more Ispecific object of this invention to providea leveling devicel in which the sides of the carrier guideway yor shaft are provided'with a plurality -O'socke'ts, adjacent'to each landing point, 'and inrwhichthe carrier is provided with wedge lmembers arranged to automatically engage or disengage the sockets. 'f y Y f v Itis a yfurther object of this inventionfto provide a leveling device for carriers which 1s simplein construction and operation, and is well adapted for the purpose deseribedl `Withjtlie above and other objects in View, the invention consists'oi1 the improved leveling device for carriers, andall its parts and combinations las rset forthL in the claimsl and allequivalents thereof. l y V 'Y In thel accompanying drawing, in which the same reference numerals designatethe same parts in all of the views: p

' Fig.V 1 is a front elevation of a vertical carrier, parts being broken away,y withv the im- Y proved leveling device in attachment tlierewithgf' Fig. 2 is a detail view oi one side of the levelingv device, yshowing itin attachment with facarrier, .parts being broken away and parts lbeing vshown in section; f

Fig. 3ds an inverted plan'view thereof.;

- Fig.- L.his 4apview ofl Vthe leveling ldevicein attachment-'with a rportion of a carrier, the

in afshaft or guideway comprising vertical side members 9, and landing-partitions 10.

Mounted on the lower side of the carrier platform is an electric motor 11, having a rotatable-'shaft 12 extending from each Side thereof.' On each end of the shaft is a disk 13 to which is secured a similar disk 14 rigidly mounted on a shaft'15 journaled in bearings 16 extendingfrom the lower -Side of the carrier platform. On the outer end of each of the shafts 15 is a worm 17, one having a left hand thread and the other having a right hand thread. `Each of the worms 17 turns within an internally Vthreaded bushing 18 which is keyed within an enlarged bore in a tubular member 19. Thek tubular members 19 are rigidly secured to supporting'brackets 20 extending from the carrier platform. The

bushings 18 extend only part way'within ber is provided with rollers 28 whichare adaptedy to provide Va slidable, frictionless contact between the end of the wedge and the disk 29.- The disk 29 is mounted on one end of arod 30 which is slidable vwithina small bore 31` in the end of the tubular member 19. [A spring 32 surrounds the rod 30. As the bore` 26 inthe end` of the wedge is largerV than the sleeve, the wedge may give slightly in a horizontal direction against the tension of the spring v,32. There is also an allowance for verticalmovement against the springs 24, the springs taking up the shock when the carrier is brought to a sudden stop, and the rollers 28 making a sliding contact with the disk 29 as before mentioned.

Brackets 33, having perforated end portions, extend from the carrier platform. Rods 34 have one end secured in the perforated ends of the brackets 33 and the other end secured within lugs 35 on the bracket 2.0,. A guiding bracket 36 secured to the stlnifcircular member 21', has its ends perfofated and slidable on the rods 34. Springs 37 are mounted `on the brackets 20 to engage the semi-circular members 2l when the tubular members slide within the brackets 2() upon the turning of the worms.

Anopenlng 38 is, provided in each side of the ideway, adjacent to each landing point.

et members 39 to ac't as 'stops are held by bolts 40 extendingfrom brackets 4l through nldt 42. Boits 43 having theirhead portions within' the side members 9 of the guideway have nuts 43. von their ends for adjusting the secket vertically..

Onelaide of 'blib-carrier is provided with a lmit'gswitch 44 which is arranged to engage a platefi onthe si'de o'f the gnideway. A limit switch 46 o'nthelwer end of the carrier shrrange'd to 'engage an extension 47 of one of the semi-circularfmembers 21. Another limitfsvvitch 48 is 'adapted to engage a projectingnd 49 of one Aof the tubularme'mbers 19. The operation of the device may be best e'emfrom 4. Reversing switches 50, having overload 'elys 51, are provided. Lead in wires 52, indidated by the double lingfextend to the reversing switches, 'and from theref'to 4the' motor 11. The yControl switch 53 may be made to operate with the stfting Ilever lof the-elevator if it is desired. Here it is shown independently, and in the position orclosing the'circuit to the motor 1n which the wiring is indicated by a heavy single'ine 54. Thewires 54 fare connected withj the 4limit switches 44 and '46. When the lever'for stopping the elevator is manipulat'ed, the control switch is thrown into the position'shown Fig. 4. The limit switch 46'isf11rmally closed, and the switch 44 is normally open. When the switch 44 comes in *contact fwith the plate 45, it is also closed,

and *the motor 11 revolves in 'adirection to cause the wedge members 27 te ybe threaded otl'twrdly until they are in the position shdwn' in 'the lignite, stoppingthe elevator "at a' ii'l't exactly level with the landing place.

en the wedges are `fully in, as .indicated inftlie ligure, thelimitswitch46 will engage thejksion 47 andopen *the circninthereby; automatically stopping the` motor'V when thevdges are fnily inthe sockets. When n.1 'cleared te-'start the elevator again, the

leveren the 'control 53 is thrown overto contct `with l"the pdints' 55. This closes the Acir- .hon Erme li which 4with ftheV limit l.switch t single line wires 56,

48. As this switch is normally closed the motor l1 will revolve, this time in a reverse direction by means of automatic action of the reversing switches 50. The wedges will be threaded inwardly until the limit switch 4 8 engages with the extension 49, opening the circuit.

The control lever 53 may be arranged to cooperate with the starting lever of the c arrier when the carrier is traveling in either direction.

The automatic, reversing mechanism is of a type commonly used, as are the limit switches, the switch 44 being of the double throw type so as to operate when the carrier is going in either direction.

From the foregoing description it may be seen that the operation of the improved levcling' device is positive, and that the limit switch 44 allows it to'operate only at landing points. The limit. switches 46 and 48 operate to stop the movement of the wedge, both when it is fully in the socket, and when it isffully out. Y

From the foregoing description it may also be seen that the improved leveling 'device is simple in construction, is strong and durable, andl is well adapted for the purpose described.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a carrier and a carrier guideway, of a leveling device therefor, comprising a rotatably mounted shaft bn said carrier, a wormon said shaft, an engaging-` member 'threadedk on said worm, means for rotating said shaft to cause the engaging member to be threaded in and out onsaid worm for engaging 4and disengaging a portion of the guideway when the carrier is at as landingfpoint, automatic means for stopping the rotation 'of said shaft when the guideway is engaged, amd automatic means for stopping the rotation when the guideway is disengaged.

2. The combination with a carrier and a carrier guideway havingsockets in side lpoi"- tions thereof, of a leveling device therefor, comprising ,a rotatably mounted shaft on said carrier, a worm on said shaft, an engaging member threaded on said worm, means for rotatingsaid shaft to cause the engaging member to 'be threadedin 'and out on said worm for 'engaging vand disengagin'g one lof the sockets when the carrier is at a landing point,automatic means for stopping the rotation A'of Vsaid shaft when thel ideway is engaged, and automatic 'means or stopping the rotation when the guideway is disengaged. .Y

3. The combination with a' carrier and a carrier'guideway having sockets inside prtions thereof, oa leveling device therefor, comprisinga rotatably mounted shaft onsa-id carrier, la 'worm on said shaft, 'an'engaging member threaded on said worm, means for its rotating said shaft to cause the engaging member to be threaded in and out on said Worm for engaging and disengaging one of the sockets When the carrier is at a landing point, yielding means in connection with said engaging member, automatic means for stopping the rotation of said shaft when the guidevvay is engaged, and automatic means for stopping the rotation when the guidevvay is disengaged.

4. The combination with a carrier and a carrier guideway having sockets in side por- 'tions thereof, of a leveling device therefor, comprising a-motor on the carrier; a shaft extending from each side of said motor; worms on said shafts; a supporting bracket having a bored portion extending from each side of the carrier; tubular members havingk semi-circular outer end portions, and having their inner ends slidable Within the bore of the supporting brackets, and having an internally threaded portion for receiving said Worm; an engaging member yieldingly mounted Within the semi-circular outer end of each of the tubular members; and means for operating the motor to canse the engaging members to engage and disengage the sockets When the carrier is at a landing point.

5. The combination with a. carrier anda carrier guideway having V-shaped socketsin side portions thereof, of a leveling device therefor, comprising a motor on the carrier; a shaft extending from each side of said motor; oppositely threaded Worms on said shafts; an internally bored and threaded tubular member engaging each of said Worms,

and having a seini-circular outer end portion;

a vertical rod in each of said outer end portions; a Wedge member having a bored inner end through which said rod passes, the said bore being larger in diameter thanthe rod; yielding means on said rod operative when the Wedge moves vertically; yielding means engaging the Wedge member When it is moved horizontally; guiding means for thev tubular members; and means for operating the motor to cause the Wedge members to engage and disengage the sockets when the carrier is at a landing point.

6. The combination With a carrier and a carrier guidevvay, of a leveling device therefor, comprising an engaging member on said carrier for engaging and disengaging portions of said guidevvay, an electric motor for operating said engaging member, means on the carrier for controlling said motor, and automatic means for 'closing the circuit to the electric motor at the proper time to cause the engaging member to operate to stop the carrier flush with a landing point.

7 .The combination with a carrier and a carrier guidevvay, of a leveling device therefor, comprising an engaging member on. said carrier for engaging and disengaging portions of said guidevvay, an electric motor for operating said engaging member, means on the carrier for controlling said motor, a concarrier guideway, of a leveling device therefor, comprising an engagingmember on said carrier for engaging yand disengaging portions of said guideway, an electric motor for operating said engaging member, means on the carrier for controlling said motor, automatic means for closing the circuit to the electric motor at the proper time to cause the engaging member to operate to stop the carrier flush With a landing point, and automatic means for breaking the circuit When the engaging member has fully engaged the guideway.

9. The combination with a carrier'and a carrier guideivay, of a leveling device therefor, comprising an engaging member on said carrier for engaging and disengaging portions of said guideway, an electric motor for' operating said engaging member, means on the carrier for controlling said motor, automatic means for closing the circuit to the electric motor at the proper time to cause the engaging member to operate to stop the carrier flush with a landing point, automatic means for breaking the circuit When the engaging member has fully engaged the guide- Way, and automatic means for breaking the circuit when the engaging member has fully disengaged the guidevvay.

l0. The combination With a carrier and a carrier guideWay, of a leveling device therefor, comprising a stop member and an engaging member for engaging and disengaging said stop member, electric motor means for operating said engaging member, and automatic means for closing the circuit to said electric motor at the proper time to cause said engaging member to engage said stop member.

11. The combination with a carrier and a carrier guideway, of a leveling edvice therefor, comprising a stop member and an engaging member for engaging and disengaging said stop member, electric motor means for operating said engaging member, automatic means for closing the circuit to said electric motor at the proper time to cause said engaging member to engage said stop member, and automatic means for breaking the circuit to said electric motor when said vengaging member has fully engaged said stop member.V n

l2. The combination with a carrier and a carrier guideWay, of a leveling device therefor, comprising a stop member and an engagin member for engaging and disengaging said stop member, electric motor means for `eperlnting .said engaging member, :automatici means. for closing the circuit to said electric motorut the proper time tocause the engaging member to engage said stop member, automaticmeans for breaking the circuit to said motor when said engaging member has fully engaged said step member, and automatic means for breaking the circuit to said motor when said engaging member has fully disengaed the said'stop member.

n testimony whereof, I aiiix my Si nature. ALFONSE N. BEC ER. 

